Film festival a respite from tragedy

MANILA, Philippines—Some of the floats seemed smaller, the designs a tad less striking than usual. But the crowd was as loud and star-struck as ever as their favorite celebrities rode past them during Sunday’s “Parade of the Stars,” which opened the annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

Eight movies competing on the 39th staging of the event will be shown in theaters from Dec. 25 to Jan. 8—“Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel,” “My Little Bossings,” “Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy,” “Boy Golden: Shoot-to-Kill,” “10,000 Hours,” “Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay,” “Kaleidoscope World” and “Pedro Calungsod: Batang Martir.”

For the fans, the festival wasn’t so much about the floats as seeing the stars atop them.

Three hours before the parade’s scheduled start at 2 p.m., people—mostly giddy teenage girls—had already crowded around the eight floats parked on Bayshore Avenue in Pasay City, hoping that their idols would grant them photo-ops, or at least smile at them.

And so, despite the fickle afternoon weather that swung from swelteringly hot to ominously cloudy, the stars promised to make the event worth the fans’ wait.

Show-biz tradition

Popular comedian Vice Ganda of “Girl, Boy…” said he always looked forward to the parade “for a chance to see my fans eye-to-eye.”

First-timer Sef Cadayona of the dance hip-hop film “Kaleidoscope” said he was very eager to see the sea of waiting fans.

“I want to feel closer to them,” he said. “I can’t believe that I’m part of this show-biz tradition and being with more established artists.”

“It’s heartening to see that so many people still support the parade. It’s a wonderful feeling,” said Yassi Pressman, also of “Kaleidoscope.”

“While we all love watching foreign movies, it’s also good to support local work,” she said.

Winwyn Marquez of “10,000 Hours” jested that she had been exercising her arms prior to the parade so she wouldn’t get tired from all the waving she would do.

“Look, my arms don’t have any flab!” she said. “I’m excited—if only I could jump from the float!”

No big-budget films

“The parade was a chance to interact with the fans. Seeing the joy on the people’s faces was priceless,” said Janus del Prado of “Pagpag,” the horror flick. “I hope this festival inspires other filmmakers to create more movies.”

Christian Vazquez, of the religious drama “Pedro Calungsod,” pointed out that the parade was an important tool to promote the films, especially among those who don’t have ready access to television or the Internet.

What’s noticeable in this year’s roster is the absence of the big budget, action-fantasy movies that usually dominate the festival.

Still, the MMFF committee was pleased they managed to put together a diverse lineup, ranging from comedy, action and horror to dance and drama.

Before slugging it out for box office supremacy, the eight entries competed for the crowd’s cheers and screams as the floats trudged along the 9-kilometer long parade route.

Shirts and candies

The parade started from Seaside Boulevard in Pasay City and ended at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. It was opened by Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairma Francis Tolentino.

Though it started to drizzle, Tolentino said: “Rain or shine, the parade will definitely go. The stars are ready for it.”

Blowing kisses and arms tirelessly waving, the stars regaled the throng by tossing out movie posters, shirts and candies.

The crowd roared as “Bossing” Vic Sotto took off his shirt and struck a double-biceps pose atop the “My Little Bossings” float, which was shaped like a quaint house with photo frames as windows.

Also on the float were costars Kris Aquino and child stars Ryzza Mae Dizon and Bimby Aquino-Yap.

“Kaleidoscope’s” Cadayona and Pressman zoomed past the crowd aboard a jeepney-bus with a portrait of late rap artist Francis Magalona.

Dressed as a friar, Vazquez led the cast of “Pedro Calungsod” on a float inspired by a galleon.

Most intricate

Robin Padilla, star of “10,000 Hours,” sat with legs crossed and then saluted to the crowd. With him were Marquez, Mylene Dizon, Markki Stroem and Bela Padilla.

The float was decked out with cutouts of Amsterdam’s cityscape where a good part of the movie was shot.

The most intricate float was that of “Boy Golden: Shoot-to-Kill,” a curious hybrid of a vintage Chevrolet and a 1960s night club, complete with showgirls in glittering garb.

True to form, its star, Laguna Gov. Jeorge “ER” Estregan Jr., donned a golden suit. Sitting beside him was his leading lady, KC Concepcion, who looked ravishing in red.

However, fans were a bit disappointed that the main stars of “Kimmy Dora,” “Pagpag” and “Girl, Boy” were nowhere to be found at the outset of the parade.

Teenage girls were reduced to a chorus of groans on finding out that heartthrob Daniel Padilla and his rumored girlfriend, Kathryn Bernardo, weren’t on the “Pagpag” float— a haunted old truck with a monster claw underneath.

Images of Christmas

“Kimmy Dora’s” float was described by its designer as “steam punk”—a mad hodgepodge of rusty cogwheels, springs and other parts of old machines and engines.

The float of “Girl, Boy” was a festive, sled-like vessel adorned with images of Christmas presents and stockings, as well as photos of the cast.

Fortunately for the fans, Daniel and Bernardo (“Pagpag”), Eugene Domingo and Sam Milby (“Kimmy Dora”), and Vice Ganda (“Girl, Boy”) joined the parade later.

Like in 2012, this year’s event was not held on Christmas Eve, as it had traditionally been. This was met with sighs of relief from celebs, who otherwise would be rushing home for last-minute noche buena preparations.

Natural disasters

According to MMFF executive secretary Alu Dorotan, about 800 MMDA personnel were deployed to ensure order during the parade.

Earning a record-breaking P767.8 million in the box office, the 2012 festival was the most successful in the history of the MMFF.

But with the country still recovering from natural disasters—and preparing for an impending power rate hike—show-biz insiders wondered whether fans would hold back on leisure activities.

While uncertain of how people would spend their money this month, Bela said she believed Filipinos “deserve to be happy this season.”

“After all the calamities, I think watching movies is a good diversion. Aside from having a good time, viewers will leave the theaters feeling inspired,” she said.

Very saddening

Her action star-uncle, Robin, pointed out that going to the cinemas remained one of the cheapest forms of entertainment.

“What happened to the country is very saddening and we sympathize with the victims. But still, watching Filipino movies has become a Christmas tradition of sorts,” the actor said.

Concepcion said the annual fest was part of the Filipino culture and shouldn’t be negatively affected by the recent tragedies.

“We should also focus on what we have now and what we do well—not just the calamities. There should be a balance,” Concepcion said. “Besides, the entertainment industry continues to extend a helping hand.”

Good movie lineup

Despite everything that had happened in the country, Tolentino believed ticket sales would “move well,” as they had in the previous years.

And while seven cinemas in typhoon-ravaged Tacloban City are not operating, Tolentino said he was confident the turnout wouldn’t be affected much.

“We have a good lineup of movies,” he said. “When you look at the malls, they’re all still teeming with people.

Concepcion said, “Tuloy pa rin ang Pasko (There’s no stopping Christmas).”

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